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How Can I claim insurance for car scratches in India?

Find out if you can claim insurance for car scratches in India and understand the implications on NCB, deductibles and premium. Get answers to all your questions here.

  • 30 Jan 2023
  • 3 min read
  • 819 views

Driving in India comes with countless challenges. Poor road conditions, open manholes, and complete disregard for traffic rules by some motorists are among the leading causes of road accidents in the country. No matter how cautiously you drive, you have no control over several unfortunate incidents including scratches. 

Dents or scratches are minor incidents, and fixing them does not require big money. But, the question is—if you have a comprehensive car insurance policy, does it cover minor damages such as dents and scratches? If yes, then what are the implications of filing such claims? Let's look at it in detail.

Are car scratches covered in a car insurance policy?

Car insurance coverage varies depending on the insurer and the policy terms. It is critical to read the fine print of the policy document to understand inclusions and exclusions and avoid any possible claim rejections. Mostly, popular insurers cover scratches. However, if you have only a third-party liability insurance policy for your car, without a standalone own damage cover, the insurer will deny your claim.

Incidents of scratches or any significant events such as theft, irreparable damage, and loss due to fire are typically covered by comprehensive and standalone own-damage insurance.

Will a car scratch affect your NCB?

The NCB, or No Claim Bonus in car insurance, is a percentage reward for not filing a claim during the policy year. It is given as a discount on the premium amount at the time of policy renewal. It starts at 20% for the first claim-free year and can go up to 50% if you complete five consecutive claim-free years.

A scratch on your four-wheeler requires the least amount of money to repair. It would not cost you more than a few hundred or thousands of rupees. Using your policy for this minor expense would result in the loss of your accumulated NCB discount.

Also read:

Will a car scratch affect your deductibles?

Deductibles refer to the portion of the amount of the repairs you must pay from your wallet. The insurer is liable to pay only the balance sum. There are two types of deductibles—voluntary and compulsory. You decide the amount of voluntary deductible when purchasing or renewing your car insurance policy. The higher the deductible, the lower will be the premium amount. The insurer decides the compulsory deductible amount. 

Now suppose your car collides with a two-wheeler, resulting in a scratch. You take your car to the garage for repairs, and the estimated bill is Rs 3,000. The policy's mandatory deductible is 15%. It means you must pay Rs 450 out of your pocket, and the insurer will pay the remaining Rs 2550.

Will a car scratch impact your premium?

Claim history is one of many variables that influence your premium amount. If you have previously filed several claims, it will give the insurer the impression that you have poor driving skills and are likely to file a significant claim soon. As a result, to offset their potential financial burden, you will be charged higher premiums.

Avoid filing minor insurance claims and try to accumulate NCB rewards to make the best of your car insurance.

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